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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region

213 Ranked Colleges
$26,400 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies is the 15th most popular major in the country with 72,741 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $31,466 and had an average of $24,117 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 10,200 parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,202 and $24,422 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 213 colleges that offered a degree in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in parks, recreation, leisure, & fitness studies.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The parks & rec school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies in the Great Lakes Region

1
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Concordia University, Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 375 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Chicago

2
Trine crest
Trine University
Angola, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trine University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Angola, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 88 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Trine University

3
Adrian crest
Adrian College
Adrian, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Adrian College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Adrian is located in Adrian, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 63 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Adrian College

4
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, Ohio

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Defiance College. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region. Defiance College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Defiance, Ohio. It awarded 13 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Defiance College

5
Monmouth crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Monmouth College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Monmouth, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Monmouth College

6
Carroll U crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, Wisconsin

Carroll University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. Waukesha, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 119 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Carroll U Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Mount Union did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Alliance, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 56 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Mount Union Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

8
Franklin College of Indiana crest
Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana

Franklin College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Franklin College is located in Franklin, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 21 ’s parks & rec degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Franklin College of Indiana

9

Heidelberg University ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Tiffin, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Heidelberg University

10
Wittenberg crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, Ohio

Wittenberg University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Springfield, Ohio. It awarded 38 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wittenberg University

11
Bluffton crest
Bluffton University
Bluffton, Ohio

Bluffton University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Bluffton, Ohio, and it awarded 14 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Bluffton Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

12
Olivet crest
Olivet College
Olivet, Michigan

Olivet College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Olivet College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Olivet, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Olivet College

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 248 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UW - La Crosse

14
Wilmington College crest
Wilmington College
Wilmington, Ohio

Wilmington College ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Wilmington, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 40 degrees to qualified ’s parks & rec students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Wilmington College

15
UIndy crest
University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana

University of Indianapolis came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UIndy is a medium-sized school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 138 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at UIndy

16
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, Illinois

Eureka College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #16. Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Eureka, Illinois. It awarded 13 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Eureka College

17
Central State University crest
Central State University
Wilberforce, Ohio

Central State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wilberforce, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 17 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Central State University Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies Report

18
Hanover crest
Hanover College
Hanover, Indiana

With a ranking of #18, Hanover College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Hanover is a small school located in Hanover, Indiana that handed out 30 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Hanover College

19

Ohio Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Delaware, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 33 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ohio Wesleyan University

20
Manchester University crest
Manchester University
North Manchester, Indiana

Manchester University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. North Manchester, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 28 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Manchester University

21
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan

Lake Superior State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Lake Superior State University is a public institution located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Lake Superior State University

22

Concordia University, Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. Concordia University, Ann Arbor is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Concordia University, Ann Arbor

23
Greenville crest
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

Greenville University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #23. Greenville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s parks & rec degrees to 15 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Greenville University

24

Ohio Dominican University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 32 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at Ohio Dominican University

25
John Carroll crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, Ohio

John Carroll University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This small school is located in University Heights, Ohio, and it awarded 64 ’s parks & rec degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies at John Carroll

Rest of the Best 32 in Schools Highly Focused on Parks & Rec Major in the Great Lakes Region

Not only did these schools make the top 32 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL
28
29
Lincoln College crest
Lincoln College
Lincoln, IL
30
31
32

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